As Massachusetts lawmakers move toward allowing casino gambling in the state, major industry players are taking a closer look – a much closer look — at Western Massachusetts. New England Public Radio's Fred Bever reports.

It's a bit of a gambling gold rush. Three investor groups — including the owners of Connecticut's Mohegan sun — say they want to develop a casino in the area. But under the legislation, only one casino wil be allowed in Western Massachusetts.

The annual Hampshire & Franklin Municipal Conference is Saturday in Northampton. It’s the time of year legislators and members of the Romney administration come west. Some for the first time ever. This year the Conference — convened by State Senator Stan Rosenberg — will focus on local Aid. Mary Carey from the Daily Hampshire Gazette has been attending the Conference for years. She says that every year local officials end up asking the visitors from Beacon Hill, “What can you do for us?”

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